This document provides an introduction to horse property planning. It discusses researching the basic needs of horses and local development laws before starting a property plan. A property plan should include facilities like stables, paddocks, arenas, sheds, and consider how the natural needs of horses can be met. Observing existing horse behaviors can provide insights for property upgrades. Trees and shrubs provide benefits like shelter and shade, and alternative structures can provide these benefits if natural trees are unavailable. Weed control and identifying toxic plants is important for horse health and safety. Resources for further information on horse property design, facilities, weeds, and more are provided.

1. Introduction to
Horse Property Planning
Strathalbyn May 2018

2. Before starting the property plan,
there may be some research to be
done
The basic needs of horses
Local Council Development laws
Plant and animal biosecurity
Climate change
Emergency plans
What industries/work the
neighbours have
Best practice facility design

3. Your personal vision may include
Stable office
Paddocks with safe fencing and gateways
Surface heavy traffic areas
Chemical storage
Covered tie-up areas with lighting
Work areas for farriers/vets/dentists/clipping
with power, lighting, roof
Vehicle wash down area
Yarding for different purposes
Wash bay, roof, warm water
Manure & waste storage & disposal/reuse
Access to trails via extra gates
Float & truck parking
Riding arena, round yard, walker
Feed, tack and other sheds
Hay shed away from main buildings
Toilet, human kitchen area
Isolation stable/yard
Artificial shade if no natural shade
Water collection, reticulation, storage
Shed for tractor, farm fire fighting unit
Pest animal control
Above: Mud, ‘poaching’ + water to manage on a slope
Below: Fencing off mud areas, adding surfacing (Photo: Karen O’Keefe)

4. Can the property design meet the needs
of horses?
Horses like to:
 frequently interact with other equines
(social connections)
 Walk and eat at the same time
 Using landscape features to care for
themselves e.g. rolling, scratching,
resting in the shade
 Stay safe from predators (prey animal)
 Travel around their home range (i.e.
horses are not migratory) which size is
set by the resources available- avoid
overgrazing.
When planning property layouts to also
consider how the natural needs of the
horse can also be met.
iStock
iStock

5. 1. Write down your personal vision (long
& short term goals) + for your horses
1. Source an aerial photo of the property
1. Add layers of info:
a) existing natural features e.g. creeks
b) outline land types e.g. wet areas
c) existing physical features e.g. sheds
d) (new map?) draw in future plans
4. Prioritise future plans, based on job
sequencing (e.g. weed control first
before sowing new pasture) budget,
time and other influencing factors
4. Write down how the property will be
monitored e.g. soil tests
Drawing up a property plan
(new or renovate existing property)

6. How are the horses using existing property layouts?
Observe how horses are using the facilities, as even the best
planned properties may need changes or upgrades
Health related behaviours (signs / symptoms of a health issue)
e.g. toxicity
Behaviours possibly influenced by property design and/or social
grouping and/or routine choices e.g. playing/fighting over fence,
banging on gates
Behaviours that are possibly influenced by low roughage diets,
long gaps between meals & boredom (+/-gastric ulcers) e.g. oral
stereotypies e.g. crib biting, wind sucking aggressive pre-
feeding behaviours, playing with water/ moving frequently
between feed & water
Behaviours that may require further investigation e.g. poor social
skills in a herd or group constantly acquires low level
injuries/problems which may be an indicator for a deeper
underlying issue
It is worthwhile seeking advice for problems from professional equine
behaviour experts and/or property managers to resolve issues early.

7. Many horse owners are aware of the
benefit that trees & shrubs can provide
for paddocks
e.g.
Shelter belts
Biosecurity barriers
Reduce wind erosion
Stabilize soil
Shade & shelter
Promote biodiversity
Help reduce soil compaction
Part of fire management plan
Protecting trees:
On smaller properties or in smaller
paddocks, especially where a “set”
grazing regime is used, trees & shrubs may
need protecting if horses have regular or
prolonged access.
Providing tree benefits
iStock

8. Tree benefits for horses……
when trees are not available to
horses, consider other ways to
provide “tree benefits” for your
horse
• Shade from sun
• Shelter from wind & rain
• Place to “loaf around” &
socialise
• Somewhere to scratch & rub
• Relief from flies (leaves/tails)
• Variety in diet (some trees are
tasty)
• Variety in eating styles –
browsing vs grazing
• Other?
Providing tree benefits
Photo: J Raphael

9. Providing Tree Benefits
Biosecurity barriers, scratch & rub surfaces, browse (eat at different heights & locations),
places to socialise, undertake mutual grooming
Photo: Robyn Warren
Photo: MB Equine Services
Photo: Equiculture Jane Myers
iStock

10. Providing Tree Benefits
Shade & Shelter
Drawing: http://www.equiculture.com.au (Jane Myers).

11. What stories is this photo sharing?

12. One idea for layout is the ‘Equicentral System’ https://www.equiculture.net/

13. Property Management - Weed control
1. ID weeds
2. Weeds appear in poor pasture, how to improve pasture?
3. Control weeds
4. Research if the weeds are toxic for horses
5. Property layout needs to be easy for weed control e.g. wide gates for equipment
Photos Left: Marshmellow weed Centre: Wireweed Right: Checking for weeds in hay

14. Horse SA https://www.horsesa.asn.au/
NRM SA Murray Darling Basin
http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/samurraydarlingbasin/home
Equiculture https://www.equiculture.net/
MB Equine Services http://www.mbequineservices.com/
Plants poisonous to horses https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/06-048
Weed ID App http://www.grdc.com.au/Resources/Apps
Weed ID website http://www.weeds.org.au/weedident.htm

15. PIRSA weed control handbook:
http://pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/232382/PIRSA_WeedControlHan
dbook_2017.pdf
Weed control App
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds_and_pest_animals/weeds_in_sa/we
ed_control_app
Soursob toxicity in miniature horses
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/eve.12605
Marshmellow toxicity in horses in Adelaide
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news81882.html